24 Jul 2017 GUSTAVO SILVA DA CRUZ and 6 others · Prevention of Future Deaths report East Sussex
View report summary
Concerns raised 4 Visitors’ language difficulties and lack of experience with the sea View source Failure to maintain effective public communication about coastal safety View source Lack of formal governance and control of coastal risk management View source Insufficient education and awareness of coastal dangers View source See 1 more concern
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
×
AI-generated summary
GUSTAVO SILVA DA CRUZ and 6 others · Prevention of Future Deaths report
This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.
Report summary
On 24 June 2016, Gustavo Silva da Cruz and Mohit Dupar entered the sea at Camber Sands; Da Cruz's body was later washed ashore, and Dupar was brought unconscious to the beach and died at Ashford Hospital on 28 July 2016. On 24 August 2016, five young Sri Lankan men entered the sea as the tide came in and all died, with their bodies recovered that day or after the tide receded. The report raises concerns about the lack of formal governance and risk management for beach safety, including lifeguard provision, public education, communication, resources, and whether restrictions on beach use should be considered.
Read the report on judiciary.uk
× Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Rother District Council; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Visitors’ language difficulties and lack of experience with the sea
Wider context from the report “(b) There appears to be no formal governance or control of risk management requirements. Should the present, virtually voluntarily, structure be examined? Could perhaps the Marine and Coastguard Agency, who have enforcement powers akin to those of the Police, be given more resources and take a bigger role than they currently have? The problem is an increasing one. The evidence suggested that on a pleasant hot summer’s day 25,000 to 30,000 people visit Camber Sands, many of whom have language difficulties and do not speak much English, and many others of whom have no experience of going into the sea . The question is whether leaving matters to a charity is really the best basis of a structure intended to spearhead a possibly overdue attempt to modernise, harmonise, and improve the safety regime, given so many changes at Camber.
(c) Changes include:-
(i) possible climate change effects,
(ii) differences in ethnic origins and language spoken by current visitors,
(iii) constant and fast changes in means of communication with the public, which everybody at these inquests agreed to be crucial to the necessary educative process,
(iv) improvement, considered vital, of education and awareness of coastal dangers amongst children and those who live far from the sea.
(d) Inevitably resource and monetary considerations affect decision making by those charged with safeguarding people like the seven who died here. Perhaps that is another reason why a review of the current system may well be needed.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Rother District Council; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to maintain effective public communication about coastal safety
Wider context from the report “(b) There appears to be no formal governance or control of risk management requirements. Should the present, virtually voluntarily, structure be examined? Could perhaps the Marine and Coastguard Agency, who have enforcement powers akin to those of the Police, be given more resources and take a bigger role than they currently have? The problem is an increasing one. The evidence suggested that on a pleasant hot summer’s day 25,000 to 30,000 people visit Camber Sands, many of whom have language difficulties and do not speak much English, and many others of whom have no experience of going into the sea. The question is whether leaving matters to a charity is really the best basis of a structure intended to spearhead a possibly overdue attempt to modernise, harmonise, and improve the safety regime, given so many changes at Camber.
(c) Changes include:-
(i) possible climate change effects,
(ii) differences in ethnic origins and language spoken by current visitors,
(iii) constant and fast changes in means of communication with the public, which everybody at these inquests agreed to be crucial to the necessary educative process ,
(iv) improvement, considered vital, of education and awareness of coastal dangers amongst children and those who live far from the sea.
(d) Inevitably resource and monetary considerations affect decision making by those charged with safeguarding people like the seven who died here. Perhaps that is another reason why a review of the current system may well be needed.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Rother District Council; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Lack of formal governance and control of coastal risk management
Wider context from the report “(b) There appears to be no formal governance or control of risk management requirements . Should the present, virtually voluntarily, structure be examined? Could perhaps the Marine and Coastguard Agency, who have enforcement powers akin to those of the Police, be given more resources and take a bigger role than they currently have? The problem is an increasing one. The evidence suggested that on a pleasant hot summer’s day 25,000 to 30,000 people visit Camber Sands, many of whom have language difficulties and do not speak much English, and many others of whom have no experience of going into the sea. The question is whether leaving matters to a charity is really the best basis of a structure intended to spearhead a possibly overdue attempt to modernise, harmonise, and improve the safety regime , given so many changes at Camber.
(c) Changes include:-
(i) possible climate change effects,
(ii) differences in ethnic origins and language spoken by current visitors,
(iii) constant and fast changes in means of communication with the public, which everybody at these inquests agreed to be crucial to the necessary educative process,
(iv) improvement, considered vital, of education and awareness of coastal dangers amongst children and those who live far from the sea.
(d) Inevitably resource and monetary considerations affect decision making by those charged with safeguarding people like the seven who died here. Perhaps that is another reason why a review of the current system may well be needed.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Rother District Council; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Insufficient education and awareness of coastal dangers
Wider context from the report “(b) There appears to be no formal governance or control of risk management requirements. Should the present, virtually voluntarily, structure be examined? Could perhaps the Marine and Coastguard Agency, who have enforcement powers akin to those of the Police, be given more resources and take a bigger role than they currently have? The problem is an increasing one. The evidence suggested that on a pleasant hot summer’s day 25,000 to 30,000 people visit Camber Sands, many of whom have language difficulties and do not speak much English, and many others of whom have no experience of going into the sea. The question is whether leaving matters to a charity is really the best basis of a structure intended to spearhead a possibly overdue attempt to modernise, harmonise, and improve the safety regime, given so many changes at Camber.
(c) Changes include:-
(i) possible climate change effects,
(ii) differences in ethnic origins and language spoken by current visitors,
(iii) constant and fast changes in means of communication with the public, which everybody at these inquests agreed to be crucial to the necessary educative process,
(iv) improvement, considered vital, of education and awareness of coastal dangers amongst children and those who live far from the sea .
(d) Inevitably resource and monetary considerations affect decision making by those charged with safeguarding people like the seven who died here. Perhaps that is another reason why a review of the current system may well be needed.
” Open source report
×
Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Provide two megaphones for beach patrol warnings about sandbars and incoming tides.
Verbatim wording from the response “We have continued our policy of providing a seasonal beach patrol complementing the lifeguard service and comprising nine staff in support of the Coastal Officers at Camber Sands. We have used the learning from the incidents of 2016 to develop the staff training provided at the beginning of the season and the daily briefings. We have purchased two megaphones for the use of the beach patrol to assist in moving people from sandbars on an incoming tide as required.” Source location Response from Rother District Council
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Review and revise the Camber Sands Community Risk Assessment and Safety Plan with partner agencies.
Verbatim wording from the response “It is our intention to review and revise as necessary the Camber Sands Community Risk Assessment and Safety Plan with the assistance of the agencies represented on the Camber Beach and Water Safety Group. These agencies include RNLI, National Water Safety Forum, MCA/HM Coastguard, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, Sussex Police, South East Coast Ambulance service, Camber Parish Council and the LGA, as well as a number of local businesses. We are assisting the formation of a Camber branch of the RNLI in order to raise funds for the lifeguard service and raise awareness of water safety.” Source location Response from Rother District Council
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Compile a comprehensive Camber Sands report for the Audit and Standards Committee.
Verbatim wording from the response “As part of our corporate governance and the requirements for accountability and scrutiny, officers of the council have compiled a comprehensive report to our Audit and Standards Committee. The report will be in the public domain a week before the committee meets on 27 September 2017 when Members of the Council will be invited to debate its contents and propose any further actions they deem necessary to meet our obligations at Camber Sands. A draft copy of the report is attached for your information.” Source location Response from Rother District Council
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Investigate translating the visitor safety leaflet into relevant languages.
Verbatim wording from the response “A new leaflet setting out safety advice to visitors has been handed out to visitors at Camber. A copy is attached for information. A poster of this information is on display in the public conveniences at both car parks and is therefore seen by a large proportion of the visiting public. We are investigating the translation of this leaflet into relevant languages.” Source location Response from Rother District Council
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Disseminate visitor water-safety advice through leaflets and posters at Camber Sands car parks.
Verbatim wording from the response “A new leaflet setting out safety advice to visitors has been handed out to visitors at Camber. A copy is attached for information. A poster of this information is on display in the public conveniences at both car parks and is therefore seen by a large proportion of the visiting public. We are investigating the translation of this leaflet into relevant languages.” Source location Response from Rother District Council
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Publish the Camber Sands report and invite committee debate on further actions to meet council obligations.
Verbatim wording from the response “As part of our corporate governance and the requirements for accountability and scrutiny, officers of the council have compiled a comprehensive report to our Audit and Standards Committee. The report will be in the public domain a week before the committee meets on 27 September 2017 when Members of the Council will be invited to debate its contents and propose any further actions they deem necessary to meet our obligations at Camber Sands. A draft copy of the report is attached for your information.” Source location Response from Rother District Council
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Update and install safety signage in line with the new lifeguard provision.
Verbatim wording from the response “The RNLI provided us with a signage audit carried out to their internationally recognised standards, involving the updating of existing safety signs in line with the new lifeguard provision. These have been commissioned and will be installed shortly when conditions permit. In addition, we have purchased and installed two electronic dot matrix signs positioned at the main access points to the beach which have shown variable messages through the summer, with the option for messages in other languages.” Source location Response from Rother District Council
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Operate two electronic dot-matrix signs at main beach access points with variable and multilingual messaging options.
Verbatim wording from the response “The RNLI provided us with a signage audit carried out to their internationally recognised standards, involving the updating of existing safety signs in line with the new lifeguard provision. These have been commissioned and will be installed shortly when conditions permit. In addition, we have purchased and installed two electronic dot matrix signs positioned at the main access points to the beach which have shown variable messages through the summer, with the option for messages in other languages.” Source location Response from Rother District Council
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent action was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation Assist formation of a Camber RNLI branch to support lifeguard funding and water-safety awareness.
Verbatim wording from the response “It is our intention to review and revise as necessary the Camber Sands Community Risk Assessment and Safety Plan with the assistance of the agencies represented on the Camber Beach and Water Safety Group. These agencies include RNLI, National Water Safety Forum, MCA/HM Coastguard, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, Sussex Police, South East Coast Ambulance service, Camber Parish Council and the LGA, as well as a number of local businesses. We are assisting the formation of a Camber branch of the RNLI in order to raise funds for the lifeguard service and raise awareness of water safety.” Source location Response from Rother District Council
Open published response
×
Source evidence
How this respondent position was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation A centralised or government-led UK coastline risk-management process would be difficult to achieve; local assessments are considered more appropriate.
Verbatim wording from the response “Regarding the proposal for a more formal risk management process we feel quite strongly that a centralised or government-led approach to the issues of risk management around the extensive and varied coastline of the UK would be difficult to achieve. Our experience prompts us to agree with Professor Ball’s finding that the task of risk assessment is “best performed by those with intimate knowledge of the location”. Nonetheless, we would welcome any clarification that the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, especially HM Coastguard, is able to offer regarding support to local authorities in their roles as beach operators.” Source location Response from Rother District Council
Open published response
Pin
Request correction
Information checked against published PFD reports and official responses · Data reviewed 7 Sep 2026 · About data quality and limitations